How Do You Know If Your Baby Has Colic?

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The term colic is used to describe any otherwise-healthy, well-fed baby that cries for more than three hours a day at least three times per week for more than three weeks, according to BabyCenter. Typically starting around 2 weeks of age in a full-term baby, colic typically goes away on its own around 3 or 4 months of age. In a premature baby, colic may begin later.

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Instances of colic in babies are not affected by the gender of the baby, or by birth order or bottle feeding, according to BabyCenter. Having colic as a baby does not have any lasting effects on a child as they grow. Although there is no test to determine colic, a doctor typically examines a baby to determine if there is any other underlying medical cause that would account for the baby's crying before making a diagnosis of colic.

According to BabyCenter, the cause of colic is unknown, making treatment difficult. It is thought that it may be caused by a lactose intolerance in bottle-fed babies or by acid reflux, gas or general moodiness in other babies. Changes to the type of formula the baby is fed or the diet of a breast-feeding mother can help to alleviate colic in some cases.